DEATH…

Innocent people are not supposed to receive the death penalty. There is something about an innocent person being unfairly punished that infuriates the sense of right within us. And, when the punishment is death it makes us want to scream “Foul!” One of the first questions we ask is “Why God? How could you let this happen? Why would you let an innocent person be put to death?” It gets worse in the case of Jesus. Even God turns his face from the injustice and allows the One whom he calls “my beloved son” to be crucified. Why?

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 27:41-50

WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?

Alone amidst the mocking onlookers and separated from the Father the King of Israel hangs on a cross. Darkness fell to set the mood for the death of the Innocent One. In a parched voice Jesus speaks one sentence from the depths of his innocence and despair, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of the onlookers are moved to pity and some are morbidly curious, but none of them could imagine the answer to the question, “Why?”

CHILDREN’S PRAYER: “Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for me. Thank you for being punished for my sin.”

ADULT’S PRAYER: “Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for me. Thank you for being punished for my sin.”